Roberts, George E. (George Evan), 1857-1948

George Evans Roberts was born in Colesburg, Iowa (Delaware County). During his boyhood his family lived in Dubuque County, Manchester and Fort Dodge, Iowa. After graduating from high school in Fort Dodge Roberts entered the office of the Fort Dodge Times to learn the printer's trade. He later transferred to the Fort Dodge Messenger, becoming its editor in 1878. He was active in Webster County Republican politics during his tenure in Fort Dodge. From 1882 to 1889 he was elected by the General Assembly to be the state printer of Iowa. Early in his career he became interested in matters related to currency, wages and the cost of living and wrote and spoke extensively on the subjects. In 1898 as a result of his political efforts in the sound money campaign of 1896 Roberts was appointed director of the mint, a post he held until 1907 when he became president of the Commercial National Bank at Chicago. In 1910 he was reappointed director of the mint. In 1902 he purchased and consolidated the Iowa State Register and the Des Moines Leader. A year later he sold the paper to Harvey Ingham and Gardner Cowles. In 1914 he became advisor to the president of the National City Bank in New York and was later elected its vice president and economist. He earned an international reputation as a financier and economist and served as a member of the financial committee of the League of Nations from 1930 to 1932.

Roberts was a ship captain who lived in Milwaukie, Oregon, and was married to Emmaline Kester.